DISCUSSION
This is the first cluster-randomized controlled trial documenting that it is possible to reduce the incidence of hamstring injuries in professional and amateur soccer
significantly by completing a training program that focuses
on increasing eccentric hamstring muscle strength. The
training program is able to reduce the injury rate of new
injuries by more than 60% and an important clinical finding of this trial is that the intervention is highly effective in
reducing the rate of recurrent injuries, which was reduced
by approximately 85%. No beneficial effect on the severity
of hamstring injuries when completing the training program was documented.